Accidentally Pointed Camera towards Sun - Did I damage the camera?

Hi every one a newbie camera person here. I got a chance to play around with the fuji film xh2s with the new 23mm f1.4 fuji lens on. While I was going around taking photos, I accidentally pointed the camera towards the sun. I has my focus at infinity and it was around 3PM so the sun was really strong, and I remembered reading somewhere that sunlight could damage the camera/camera sensor and I'm pretty paranoid now. So I wanted to ask if this is something I really should be worried about.

Sorry for such a basic question and thanks in advance!

itrytotakepictures wrote:

Hi every one a newbie camera person here. I got a chance to play around with the fuji film xh2s with the new 23mm f1.4 fuji lens on. While I was going around taking photos, I accidentally pointed the camera towards the sun. I has my focus at infinity and it was around 3PM so the sun was really strong, and I remembered reading somewhere that sunlight could damage the camera/camera sensor and I'm pretty paranoid now. So I wanted to ask if this is something I really should be worried about.

Sorry for such a basic question and thanks in advance!

Most likely, you're OK. It should be pretty simple to photograph a white sheet of paper or other flat and featureless subject and simply look at the image in detail to see if there are any areas in the image that might suggest damage to the sensor. You'll need to first ensure that you have no dust on the sensor or anything else that might yield spots on your image. Do a bit of research on sensor cleaning (or find a local store that can help). My guess is that you'll end up just fine.  BTW, over time any sensor will need to be cleaned so having that skill, or finding a local shop that can help, is very worthwhile for anyone who owns a digital camera.

itrytotakepictures wrote:

Hi every one a newbie camera person here. I got a chance to play around with the fuji film xh2s with the new 23mm f1.4 fuji lens on. While I was going around taking photos, I accidentally pointed the camera towards the sun. I has my focus at infinity and it was around 3PM so the sun was really strong, and I remembered reading somewhere that sunlight could damage the camera/camera sensor and I'm pretty paranoid now. So I wanted to ask if this is something I really should be worried about.

Sorry for such a basic question and thanks in advance!

Most of us have wondered and had to find assurances in this regard at some point in time.   It's your turn today.  

If that happens while the camera is just sitting there for several minutes+ (on a tripod, laying on a table, window sill, etc) w/o the lens cap on, concern might be due.  The stronger the sun's intensity (in that scenario) the more concern.  On an overcast day, no worries.

Strong sun in the FOV while active/handheld doesn't concentrate the light in any one spot long enough to bake anything.

Taking a photo with the sun in it is something many of us do, getting a beautiful sunstar in a landscape photo is pretty nice touch.

But like others said it's just the time you take to shoot your photo, don't let the camera for minutes toward the sun without lens cap.

Your eyes are much more fragile than your camera's sensor, never watch the sun directly , use the rear lcd with tilt angle so your eyes are facing down while the camera is facing the sun when you want to get it in your photo

Photos with the sun in the frame is usually not really an issue with wide angle lenses. Just don't point it for too long.

With tele lenses, not so. That can burn the shutter or sensor pretty easily.

Compare it to your own eyes: looking briefly into the sun is (sort of) ok for a second out two, but with binoculars...

Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun
But mama, that's where the fun is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcWVL4B-4pI&t=287s